At last Bradley Wiggins can start shaking hands again, which is just as well
because he has got a lot of celebrating to catch up on.

For two months now Wiggins, normally the most approachable of individuals, has spurned any kind of bodily contact with colleagues, camp followers and itinerant press in an effort to minimise the possibility of infection. Apparently disease ridden hands are the biggest culprits.

Nothing but nothing was going to distract Wiggins this year as he pursued his twin dream of becoming the first ever Briton to win the Tour de France, followed ten days later by a gold medal on home soil in the Olympic time trial. When he goes into that businesslike mode there are few sportsmen on the planet more intense and determined – as his seven Olympic medals in four separate cycling disciplines testifies. To use his own favourite description, he becomes a 'cycling recluse' almost oblivious to the world at large.

But first he has to lock into that mindset, which is what makes Wiggins so endlessly fascinating because he is a very human sporting superstar who sometimes struggles to to stay focused and make the right decisions. But once he does, look out because in the history of cycling his talent is unique. This is a man who can be the best in the world at 4km, 40km and 4000km. That's the equivalent of Michael Johnson winning the 400m, the 5000m and the Olympic marathon.

"I come from a cycling family – my Dad was a professional – and what hits you straight between the eyes is Bradley's talent," said his wife Cathy on Wednesday. "Even when things haven't been going smoothly he's always had that, it doesn't just disappear into the ether. Nothing ever really changes with Bradley, once he has marshalled his thoughts and decided what he really wants and is happy in himself and his surroundings there is almost nothing he can't achieve on a bike. This year has proved that more than ever.

"I've seen it in his Olympic career on the track and more recently on the road. I am absolutely thrilled with his win here at Hampton Court. I am struggling to tell you just how proud I am but hand on heart I can say I'm not surprised. Nor the Tour de France. Once he sets himself a goal he normally scores."

The genesis of Wiggins annus mirabilis lies in the chastisement he received from the Team Sky duo of Dave Brailsford and Shane Sutton in November 2010, when Sky gathered for an end of season post mortem that soon morphed into a massive knees-up. Cyclists on the loose post season are a dangerous breed and a few home truths quickly came tumbling out. Wiggins wasn't fit enough, didn't seem to care enough, and was providing little or no leadership.

The next day, Wiggins showed the hallmark of a champion. Knowing the words to have been true, he jumped on his bike and went on a massive ride to contemplate the future and start rectifying his failings. It was all clear now: he needed that big target again which brings fulfilment and purpose to sporting life.

Sports scientist Tim Kerrison came in to revamp his conditioning and introduced the now mythical two week boot camps on Mount Teide on Tenerife where he and his Grand Tour helpers – Chris Froome, Richie Porte, Michael Rogers and others – worked like dogs. Their isolated hotel nestled snug in the lunar landscape, above the cloud base and bathed in perpetual sunshine. For a cycling 'recluse' like Wiggins it was and is perfect. Rarely has an athlete been more content in his work.

The new training regime nearly came good last year, before a crash in the first week of the Tour de France dashed Wiggin's dream of glory. He refocused quickly, finishing third in the Vuelta Espana with a pinned collar bone. Then, on October 20 last year, the defining moment arrived. The Tour de France route was released and frankly Wiggins could have planned it himself. From that moment he has been a man apart.

Wiggins started this year with a long checklist, which he has ticked off remorselessly, winning every road race and time trial he entered with a view to helping his Tour de France and Olympic bid. He road each race unflinchingly, spending as much time in the yellow jersey as possible. It was hard path to take. Cath and his children Bella and Ben became voices on the phone, holidays and birthday were missed, while even the nicest hotel rooms can get very lonely. But onwards he drove and the last month has seen a glorious explosion of an extraordinary talent.

"Sacrifices? Well not really," says Cath. "As a wife or partner where's the sacrifice in helping your other half fulfil their dreams? And it's not forever, it's short term. It's not like we are a services family who are apart year after year. And they don't earn an Olympic medal for their efforts although they bloody well deserve to. It will be nice to have him back though, we've been holding back but we have got some serious celebrating to do."